PROSPECTS: Hayes Flies High for Firebirds

It's the most wonderful time of the year … for Blackhawks prospects! Here's the latest on the youngest players in Chicago's system.

IceHogs

Rockford won both of their back-to-back games on the road this week, first defeating the Springfield Thunderbirds in a 4-2 decision on Friday night. They then traveled to Connecticut and toppled the Hartford Wolf Pack, 3-2.
The victories came largely due to Lukas Reichel's offensive contributions. The 2020 first round pick tallied two points (1G, 1A) in each game, bringing his season total to 23 points (10G, 10A) in 19 games played. Dylan Wells and Jaxson Stauber each appeared in net. Wells made 23-of-25 saves in Friday's game against the Springfield Thunderbirds; Stauber meanwhile conceded two goals on 30 total shots.

Rest of the Minors

Gavin Hayes (2022, 3rd round, No. 66) lit up the ice for the Flint Firebirds in the OHL this week. The 18-year-old forward totaled five goals on the week. He followed up a hat trick in Ottawa on Thursday with a two-goal performance on Sunday against the Kingston Frontenacs. Hayes now has 26 points (14G, 12A) in 27 games played this season.

Another Blackhawks could be found in the Firebirds-Frontenacs matchup. Forward Paul Ludwinski (2022, 2nd round, No. 39) tied the game for Kingston on a shorthanded breakaway. He now has 14 points (2G, 12A) this season in 21 games played.
The Kevin Korchinski (2022, 1st round, No. 7) show continues to air in Seattle. He tallied points (4A, 0G) in two games for the Thunderbirds this past week. Korchinski is currently fifth in points amongst defensemen in the WHL with 28 points (3G, 25A) in 20 games this season.

NCAA

Dominic Basse made his eighth appearance in net this season for No. 3 St. Cloud's game on Saturday. The netminder notched the win, conceding three goals on 26 shots taken by the University of North Dakota. Basse holds a 7-1-0 record with two shutouts and carries a .940 save percentage with 1.51 GAA.
Aidan Thompson (2022, 3rd round, No. 90) tallied two assists in two games for No. 1 University of Denver. His season total is currently at eight points (3G, 5A) in eight games played. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) named the first-year forward Rookie of the Week in November.
Slava Demin tallied an assist in each of the two games played for No. 12 Merrimack College this week. The fifth-year defenseman has nine points (2G, 7A) on the season in 15 games played.